Chapter 2
The storm
Once they rested, the three of them continued walking until they reached a nice place for Rin to wait beside a tree. She sat next to the two head dragon that was already lying peacefully on the ground enjoying the sunshine.
Sesshoumaru stood still for a minute watching the way she seemed to take pleasure in the comfort and protection of the beast, who despite its fearful appearance, behaved like an innocent pet around her. The demon approached silently and waited for her to open her eyes.
"Yes Master?"
"We'll be back soon. Will you be a good gir...you will be ok?"
Rin didn't answer him right away, instead her eyes transformed with an intense and disconcerting look. The youkai stared back at her, wondering if she even realized what she meant to him and how strange if was for him to yearn for her.
He mentally kicked himself for letting his new found emotions reflect on his words. Even though he wanted to stop thinking about that, he could not let go of the fact that she wasn't a girl any more. She had blossomed into a desirable, beautiful and captivating young woman and he was a youkai trapped by the bottomless green in her eyes.
Rin blushed when she heard the slip of the tongue, unable to control the delight she felt, she brushed her fingers over her face, making the light shade of pink even more obvious. Surprisingly, she did not look away; she glanced at him excited.
Mentally repeating his words in her mind, she mumbled an 'I'll be ok Master' with a radiant smile. The demon said nothing and started to walk away. As he distanced himself he realized that the fact that she was human made no difference to him. He was mesmerized by her beauty. Touched by her loyalty and captivated by the goodness of her soul; that fragile human girl had earned his genuine affection like no other being had ever done.
////////////
Once her master was out of sight, Rin leaned on the dragon, when she did it A-UN just wagged his tail with the gentleness of a pet dragon, making her giggle.
"Did you see that A-UN? I'm not a girl anymore and he knows it...aah waiting is boring!"
After a while she settled on the ground again and looked at the sky above her. It was dark, windy and the air smelled like rain. She wished she hadn't insisted on coming and stayed back in the castle. It was too late for regrets; she was out in the open with a storm coming her way so she would wait for her beloved master and bear the cold weather with a smile.
Rin curled up trying to think about something else and suddenly remembered the conversation she overheard just a few days ago in the castle, between Sukime a one of the servants.
The castle was a beautiful place, with huge trees all over the ground and in the main garden a wide variety of flowers she had planted over the years. It made her feel special to be the only human living there among youkai.
Sukime was her nana ever since she first arrived with Sesshoumaru so many years ago. She was an old youkai who treated her kindly and had become her mother figure. She had heard Sukime tell one of the servants that Sesshoumaru was ready. Rin didn't hear the rest of the chat because her nana sensed her presence and remained silent.
Even though Rin begged Sukime to tell her what she had meant, the woman wouldn't say a word. She reminded Rin not to give into her curiosity all the time, because a woman should know her place. Rin was so thrilled to be regarded as a woman she agreed to drop the question. Sukime's advice to her was to follow her instincts and her heart.
Now there she was, totally clueless wondering what her master was ready for. She didn't want to let her mind play tricks on her so she closed her eyes frustrated, because the images of her dreams made her feel nervous and a bit embarrassed.
**Awww!! Follow my heart?...that's easy, he is my life!**
/////
Jaken advanced behind his master trying not to make a sound. The sparkle in his master's eyes made him think that perhaps he too, had seen the way young men looked at Rin. It was exactly how he was looking at her, almost without breathing and completely mesmerized. Clearing his throat the small demon began to speak.
"Master you said it was an evil presence, is it near?"
"We are very close"
"It won't be a match for you!"
Noticing that his servant wasn't done speaking, Sesshoumaru groaned and gave him a dry look that sent shivers down the toad's spine.
"Um...My Lord...ahh...I've been thinking...do you think perhaps she will ever leave us?"
"..."
Sesshoumaru didn't hesitate, not even for a second to hide his feelings when Jaken voiced the question that hammered his brain during the years. When his master didn't answer him, as usual, Jaken started reminisce her life beside them.
Pretending indifference Sesshoumaru listened to every single word Jaken said, he thought it was funny and even ironical the way the little demon showed his true feelings for the human girl. He had heard them argue and call each other names so many times over the years that it was really amusing. It was clear that Jaken liked her very much; the emotion in his voice gave him away.
Finally, when Jaken ended his monolog, saying that he doubted Rin will ever leave, Sesshoumaru gasped ever so lightly. Right there it became clear to him she was more than just his protégé, she was the light of his life and that made him feel totally overwhelmed.
He could not help it, his feelings for Rin were as strong and wonderful as his powers and he was intense in a way no one would ever believe, because he would always hide the strength and intensity of his own emotions behind an expressionless facade.
Sesshoumaru stepped out of his revere by the awful smell that polluted the air. He saw the youkai not too far away, that lowlife worthless creature had picked the wrong land to terrorize. Hadn't he realized he was in Sesshoumaru's domains? It didn't matter now, with a crooked smile the youkai drew his sword out and waited for the demon to attack him, futile attacks indeed. He just raised his sword once and the creature vanished like it had never existed.
The demon gazed at his surroundings in disgust. He put away his sword and started to walk away from the horrific scene of devastation and death. The stench in the air was so thick it was becoming unbearable for his senses.
Jaken looked at his master and was pleased that they could return to the castle so fast. He though his master looked like he was meditating staring at the road back. The toad could have sworn that Sesshoumaru was happy, even excited about something or someone.
Jaken shook his head in confusion; whatever made his lord look so different was beyond his comprehension. How could he try to understand the feelings of such a powerful and beautiful creature? He could not so he just stayed there in silence.
/////////////////
Rin motion to wake A-UN up; the weather had changed dramatically in a matter of minutes. It was ice cold and her clothes were beginning to moist with the imminent rain.
"He has not come back yet, what to we do now A-UN?...It will rain soon!"
The beast got up and started walking. Following her per they seek out for shelter under a near by tree. It was a temporarily solution; although she felt a little relieved that the dragon was protecting her from the cold with his body.
Rin lay there for a while with her eyes barely open and listening to every single little noise, hoping to recognize the almost silent steps of her master. However, she couldn't hold conscious for long because the sky opened allowing the rain to cover the land like an inescapable wave.
The rain intensified so fast that soon the tree offered no protection; it didn't matter because there was no escape from the ruthless weather. Now Rin was shaking and completely soaked, fading into a deep ice-cold slumber.
The minutes passed and she fought to stay awake, but the cold was unbearable and soon enough she lay unconscious on the ground. The minute A- UN noticed she'd stop moving, he tried to awake her by gently touching her head. It was useless; she was as pale as the moon with the rain caressing her unguarded body.
/////////////
Jaken walked behind his master dragging his feet, the wind was so strong that it seemed to make an effort to not let them go further. Suddenly, the little creature tripped with his master. Sesshoumaru was staring at the road ahead with a grimace and his jaw so tight that the muscles in his cheeks could be outlined in perfection.
"Master, is there something wrong?"
"It's raining...Jaken beside me quick!"
"Hai!"
Right there Jaken saw Sesshoumaru's energy form a bright sphere that protected them from the storm like a bubble. They advanced so fast that Jaken felt all his organs crushed within his body but said nothing. The expression on his beloved master was a terrible vision; he didn't stand to see Sesshoumaru so troubled.
They soon arrived at the place where Rin was just 2 hours ago, Jaken gasped loudly. The rain was so dense it made it almost impossible to see past anything that wasn't right in front of you. Sesshoumaru moved slowly until a huge dark spot caught his attention.
Standing in front of the dragon the energy vanished enough to see A-Un completely still. The power expanded until both the beast and his companion were covered by it.
In the blink of an eye Sesshoumaru walked past the dragon searching for Rin, when he saw her he was stunned by the image of his little girl completely unconscious and soaked to the bone.
The youkai got down on his knees and picked her up, tenderly cradling her taut against his chest. He felt sick once he realized just how cold her skin was, so much that her lips were a frosty shade of blue.
Sesshoumaru immediately put away the idea of returning to the castle. First he had to warm her up so he tighten his grip and started moving towards a cave entrance he was sure he'd seen close by.
Standing next to him Jaken dare to speak alarmed for the lack of color in her face.
"Master is she all right, she is not going to die is she?...Master..."
"She can't...I won't allow it..."
Jaken trembled at the sound of his master's voice because he could hear the emotion in his words. The toad couldn't help feel a little jealous but somehow he understood perfectly. Rin was fragile, sweet and delicate and Sesshoumaru was a mighty powerful warrior who's only weakness was the woman he embraced so close in his arms.
Once they rested, the three of them continued walking until they reached a nice place for Rin to wait beside a tree. She sat next to the two head dragon that was already lying peacefully on the ground enjoying the sunshine.
Sesshoumaru stood still for a minute watching the way she seemed to take pleasure in the comfort and protection of the beast, who despite its fearful appearance, behaved like an innocent pet around her. The demon approached silently and waited for her to open her eyes.
"Yes Master?"
"We'll be back soon. Will you be a good gir...you will be ok?"
Rin didn't answer him right away, instead her eyes transformed with an intense and disconcerting look. The youkai stared back at her, wondering if she even realized what she meant to him and how strange if was for him to yearn for her.
He mentally kicked himself for letting his new found emotions reflect on his words. Even though he wanted to stop thinking about that, he could not let go of the fact that she wasn't a girl any more. She had blossomed into a desirable, beautiful and captivating young woman and he was a youkai trapped by the bottomless green in her eyes.
Rin blushed when she heard the slip of the tongue, unable to control the delight she felt, she brushed her fingers over her face, making the light shade of pink even more obvious. Surprisingly, she did not look away; she glanced at him excited.
Mentally repeating his words in her mind, she mumbled an 'I'll be ok Master' with a radiant smile. The demon said nothing and started to walk away. As he distanced himself he realized that the fact that she was human made no difference to him. He was mesmerized by her beauty. Touched by her loyalty and captivated by the goodness of her soul; that fragile human girl had earned his genuine affection like no other being had ever done.
////////////
Once her master was out of sight, Rin leaned on the dragon, when she did it A-UN just wagged his tail with the gentleness of a pet dragon, making her giggle.
"Did you see that A-UN? I'm not a girl anymore and he knows it...aah waiting is boring!"
After a while she settled on the ground again and looked at the sky above her. It was dark, windy and the air smelled like rain. She wished she hadn't insisted on coming and stayed back in the castle. It was too late for regrets; she was out in the open with a storm coming her way so she would wait for her beloved master and bear the cold weather with a smile.
Rin curled up trying to think about something else and suddenly remembered the conversation she overheard just a few days ago in the castle, between Sukime a one of the servants.
The castle was a beautiful place, with huge trees all over the ground and in the main garden a wide variety of flowers she had planted over the years. It made her feel special to be the only human living there among youkai.
Sukime was her nana ever since she first arrived with Sesshoumaru so many years ago. She was an old youkai who treated her kindly and had become her mother figure. She had heard Sukime tell one of the servants that Sesshoumaru was ready. Rin didn't hear the rest of the chat because her nana sensed her presence and remained silent.
Even though Rin begged Sukime to tell her what she had meant, the woman wouldn't say a word. She reminded Rin not to give into her curiosity all the time, because a woman should know her place. Rin was so thrilled to be regarded as a woman she agreed to drop the question. Sukime's advice to her was to follow her instincts and her heart.
Now there she was, totally clueless wondering what her master was ready for. She didn't want to let her mind play tricks on her so she closed her eyes frustrated, because the images of her dreams made her feel nervous and a bit embarrassed.
**Awww!! Follow my heart?...that's easy, he is my life!**
/////
Jaken advanced behind his master trying not to make a sound. The sparkle in his master's eyes made him think that perhaps he too, had seen the way young men looked at Rin. It was exactly how he was looking at her, almost without breathing and completely mesmerized. Clearing his throat the small demon began to speak.
"Master you said it was an evil presence, is it near?"
"We are very close"
"It won't be a match for you!"
Noticing that his servant wasn't done speaking, Sesshoumaru groaned and gave him a dry look that sent shivers down the toad's spine.
"Um...My Lord...ahh...I've been thinking...do you think perhaps she will ever leave us?"
"..."
Sesshoumaru didn't hesitate, not even for a second to hide his feelings when Jaken voiced the question that hammered his brain during the years. When his master didn't answer him, as usual, Jaken started reminisce her life beside them.
Pretending indifference Sesshoumaru listened to every single word Jaken said, he thought it was funny and even ironical the way the little demon showed his true feelings for the human girl. He had heard them argue and call each other names so many times over the years that it was really amusing. It was clear that Jaken liked her very much; the emotion in his voice gave him away.
Finally, when Jaken ended his monolog, saying that he doubted Rin will ever leave, Sesshoumaru gasped ever so lightly. Right there it became clear to him she was more than just his protégé, she was the light of his life and that made him feel totally overwhelmed.
He could not help it, his feelings for Rin were as strong and wonderful as his powers and he was intense in a way no one would ever believe, because he would always hide the strength and intensity of his own emotions behind an expressionless facade.
Sesshoumaru stepped out of his revere by the awful smell that polluted the air. He saw the youkai not too far away, that lowlife worthless creature had picked the wrong land to terrorize. Hadn't he realized he was in Sesshoumaru's domains? It didn't matter now, with a crooked smile the youkai drew his sword out and waited for the demon to attack him, futile attacks indeed. He just raised his sword once and the creature vanished like it had never existed.
The demon gazed at his surroundings in disgust. He put away his sword and started to walk away from the horrific scene of devastation and death. The stench in the air was so thick it was becoming unbearable for his senses.
Jaken looked at his master and was pleased that they could return to the castle so fast. He though his master looked like he was meditating staring at the road back. The toad could have sworn that Sesshoumaru was happy, even excited about something or someone.
Jaken shook his head in confusion; whatever made his lord look so different was beyond his comprehension. How could he try to understand the feelings of such a powerful and beautiful creature? He could not so he just stayed there in silence.
/////////////////
Rin motion to wake A-UN up; the weather had changed dramatically in a matter of minutes. It was ice cold and her clothes were beginning to moist with the imminent rain.
"He has not come back yet, what to we do now A-UN?...It will rain soon!"
The beast got up and started walking. Following her per they seek out for shelter under a near by tree. It was a temporarily solution; although she felt a little relieved that the dragon was protecting her from the cold with his body.
Rin lay there for a while with her eyes barely open and listening to every single little noise, hoping to recognize the almost silent steps of her master. However, she couldn't hold conscious for long because the sky opened allowing the rain to cover the land like an inescapable wave.
The rain intensified so fast that soon the tree offered no protection; it didn't matter because there was no escape from the ruthless weather. Now Rin was shaking and completely soaked, fading into a deep ice-cold slumber.
The minutes passed and she fought to stay awake, but the cold was unbearable and soon enough she lay unconscious on the ground. The minute A- UN noticed she'd stop moving, he tried to awake her by gently touching her head. It was useless; she was as pale as the moon with the rain caressing her unguarded body.
/////////////
Jaken walked behind his master dragging his feet, the wind was so strong that it seemed to make an effort to not let them go further. Suddenly, the little creature tripped with his master. Sesshoumaru was staring at the road ahead with a grimace and his jaw so tight that the muscles in his cheeks could be outlined in perfection.
"Master, is there something wrong?"
"It's raining...Jaken beside me quick!"
"Hai!"
Right there Jaken saw Sesshoumaru's energy form a bright sphere that protected them from the storm like a bubble. They advanced so fast that Jaken felt all his organs crushed within his body but said nothing. The expression on his beloved master was a terrible vision; he didn't stand to see Sesshoumaru so troubled.
They soon arrived at the place where Rin was just 2 hours ago, Jaken gasped loudly. The rain was so dense it made it almost impossible to see past anything that wasn't right in front of you. Sesshoumaru moved slowly until a huge dark spot caught his attention.
Standing in front of the dragon the energy vanished enough to see A-Un completely still. The power expanded until both the beast and his companion were covered by it.
In the blink of an eye Sesshoumaru walked past the dragon searching for Rin, when he saw her he was stunned by the image of his little girl completely unconscious and soaked to the bone.
The youkai got down on his knees and picked her up, tenderly cradling her taut against his chest. He felt sick once he realized just how cold her skin was, so much that her lips were a frosty shade of blue.
Sesshoumaru immediately put away the idea of returning to the castle. First he had to warm her up so he tighten his grip and started moving towards a cave entrance he was sure he'd seen close by.
Standing next to him Jaken dare to speak alarmed for the lack of color in her face.
"Master is she all right, she is not going to die is she?...Master..."
"She can't...I won't allow it..."
Jaken trembled at the sound of his master's voice because he could hear the emotion in his words. The toad couldn't help feel a little jealous but somehow he understood perfectly. Rin was fragile, sweet and delicate and Sesshoumaru was a mighty powerful warrior who's only weakness was the woman he embraced so close in his arms.